1: The Catalyst

September is upon us! Which means, time for school again! For most people, school is shit… But for me it means glee club is back on, and that's what I can't wait for (Still hate school work though)! I also realised over the summer that the Irish education system must be tougher than the American one, cause I've already covered a lot of this work and I'm doing really well in class, when I was only average back home.

Anyways! So yeah it's time for school once again, and I have so many ideas and songs I want to sing this year in glee! Sam and I are going strong, as are Blaine and Kurt. Santana and I are still 'dating'. Brittany hasn't been out with us since the end of school last year, Santana says she's with her parents on holiday... So Sam and I have assumed that their 'relationship' is over. Puck and Sugar are still 'dating' too.

Aside from actual relationship status, all the guys are doing great!

The summer was really good. We didn't end up doing everything we had planned but it was still a great summer!

We went camping, Sam, Blaine, Sugar, Puck and I. We went to the same area Puck and I went to have our talk way back last year. We sang, we drank, and we had fun.

Puck succeeded in getting into a movie without paying! We weren't there though… So he says he did anyway. There's also a rumour that he got a vasectomy… Dunno how that got started, cause it's not true!

I didn't end up getting to visit my relatives in Boston. But my family still want to.

Sam never did get to visit his family in Tennessee… His family cancelled last minute (I was supposed to be going) and Sam just said they decided not to. They had all their cases packed and everything so it seemed a little odd…

Aside from that we didn't really do much else. We just spent loads of time together. We went on days out and just hung out loads. Santana was with us a lot, although she did kinda disappear for about 2 weeks there a while back. We had glee days too with the whole club, sans Britt who was MIA.

Anyways, time to look to the future… It's gonna be a great year, I can feel it. It's weird looking back and seeing how far I've come. I want more solos. Can't believe I'm even thinking that. But I really do, and I'm gonna get them.

/

I walked over to the lockers after the last glee practise before the weekend. Sam walked up behind me.

"Hey, so a few things have changed in glee. It's kinda weird" He said.

"Yeah it is. Tina's with Mike now. I feel bad for Artie… Santana got a freakin boob job. What the fuck! Brittany spent the summer in the sewers, apparently. Quinn is back on the Cheerios. How the fuck did she lose all that baby weight so fast? Finn isn't the quarterback. Even Sugar is acting a little weird, have you noticed?" I asked.

"Um… I don't think so… Is that bad?" Sam asked, looking confused.

I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Of course not… You're cute when you're confused" I said, smiling. "I've just noticed that she's been a little… I dunno… Clingy? To Puck I mean, they're not actually dating… I might be wrong. I dunno" I said.

"Hmm well we'll just have to keep an eye out for her." He said reassuringly.

"Yeah cool!" I said. "So how are you feeling about getting Quarterback?" I asked.

"I can't believe it! But I'm so happy! I beat Finn!" He said, his face lighting up.

"I'm really happy for you Sam" I said. I did a once-over of the halls before leaning in and pressing my lips to his. "You really deserve it".

He looked a little sad.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I just wish we didn't have to make sure we're alone before we can kiss. I hate that I have an amazing boyfriend and I have to hide it. I love you darlin'. I just wish we didn't have to hide". He said.

"I love you too Sam. I hate that we can't be 'out and proud' like Kurt and Blaine are. But my grandparents… they hate gay people so much. It scares me to think that they're gonna hate me if I be myself." I said.

"I know you're scared. I understand. We don't have to be out. You know that, it's just annoying sometimes. Remember, our 'Forbidden Love' is 'Untouchable'" He said, winking.

I couldn't help but smile.

"I know it is. Look I have been thinking about it… Before I met you, I was adamant that I would never come out to my grandparents… But now, I think maybe I can do it… I'm getting there… Maybe sometime this year" I said.

"There's no rush. But if you decide to do it, you know I'll be here every step of the way" He said.

"You're amazing" I said, smiling.

"I try" he said, in one of his many accents.

"Ya know, us talking about you getting Quarterback has gotten me thinking… I've never been into sports. Like, ever… But I've been starting to feel like I should start. I kinda feel like I should be doing more than just glee. I really don't know any rules for anything though, especially the popular sports over here. But I really need the exercise… Like really badly" I said.

"No you don't." He said sternly before continuing. "But if you wanna start learning, then why don't I try and teach you. You have the build for it. You'd be a great addition to our football team. Can I try and teach you?" He asked.

"Yeah ok, let's see if you can make me good at sports… Be warned though, it's no easy task" He said.

"Well what if you get a reward every time you do good?" He said.

"Hmm what's the reward" I said.

"I'm afraid that's confidential information" He said, impersonating George Bush, before winking.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Well how could I say no to that".

/

The weeks are going by quickly now! We're three weeks back into school already!

Two weeks ago, after much persuasion, Mr Schue decided to have Britney Spears' music be the 'lesson' of the week. Naturally Brittany got a chance to shine. She was really good! But when we sang 'Toxic' for the opening assembly, it was a disaster. Mr Schue decided to perform with us, I'm guessing to try and impress Ms Pillsbury… So that was creepy. Also, the performance kinda caused a sex riot… people got hurt… awkward.

This week has been tough. Kurt's dad had a heart attack. We all rallied around and did our best to be there for him. But we can only do so much. I feel so bad for him. I really hope Burt is ok. Aside from that, Sue has banned us from singing religious songs. I don't really care. I'm not religious, but I'm not gonna get into that now. I still think that we should have the right to express and sing what we want though. I mean, Sam's religious, he should be able to sing it he wants. Quinn and Mercedes too!

/

Sugar and I stood in the stands supporting Sam and Puck as they played in the first game of the season. Blaine was out with Kurt, trying to keep his mind off Burt. The game was going great; the team was winning for once! I'm sure that's all down to the new coach; Coach Beiste. Anyways we stood there cheering them on. Halftime came and went. There's only five minutes left now.

Suddenly one of our players landed on the ground before the other player ploughed straight into him.

"Holy shit, what number is that? I can't see from here." I said.

"Ryan, I think that's Sam!" Sugar shouted, eyes widening in shock.

Suddenly we saw Puck take his helmet off and motion at us to come down.

Fuck. It is Sam.

We ran down to the pitch as fast as possible, Quinn, Santana and Brittany appearing from the sidelines too.

There were loads of people, including Finn, surrounding Sam as we ran over.

"How is he?" Puck asked.

"Shoulders dislocated" Finn replied.

"Shit. You sure?" Puck said before looking at Sam's shoulder and realising his question was pointless.

His shoulder was completely out of place.

"Ok stop crowding around! We're not at a barn dance! Coach Beiste boomed.

"Ok Pun'kin, you gotta go to the Emergency Room. I'll call your parents; you want anyone here to come with you?"

Sam looked dazed.

"R-Ryan" He said as he looked at me before screaming in pain as he was forced to move.

/

We had to sit in the Emergency Room for a few hours before Sam was seen by a doctor. They popped his shoulder back into place pretty quickly but now we have another hour to kill before his dad collects us. He works the night shift and he couldn't get out any quicker. His mam is with Stacie and Stevie so she can't come in.

We sat on a gurney in one of the hallways watching the many doctors and patients walk by.

"How're you feeling?" I asked.

"Pretty bad. I just got Quarterback and I've lost it. And now my parents have to pay these hospital bills too" he said solemnly.

I couldn't help but feel really bad for him as he sat there, looking helpless.

"You'll get it back Sam. Don't worry. You have to rest for a few weeks but after that you'll be back fighting. You got Quarterback once, you can get it again! It's not your fault that you've been hurt. These things happen" I said.

He paused for a moment.

"I'm glad you're here" He said as he rested his head on my shoulder.

I smiled. "You must be exhausted. Maybe try and sleep while we're waiting?" I said.

When I got no reply I looked down to see Sam already asleep on my shoulder.

"I love you, you'll get through this. I promise" I whispered to him before leaning my own head back as I waited for Sam's dad to arrive.

/

A/N: So I'm back! I know this is probably not a great re-introduction. I've planned out my chapters and it's looking like the first few won't necessarily be too dramatic, however I think when you get to the later chapters and then look back on these first few, it'll all fit together.

I've never done any thing like this before so I'm really proud of myself for sticking to this story. I know I'm by no means a great writer but I'm really happy with the story so far!

Just remember that even if a chapter doesn't necessarily have a lot of drama in it, they all have a part to play and something will always happen to hopefully join the chapters together. Hopefully anyway!

The title might seem completely random but I most definitely know the meaning behind it. If you care enough, in later chapters you may realise what 'the catalyst' was.